Tourists attacked after stopping to help

Three Chinese tourists were robbed in the Far North at knifepoint, police say. Photo / Martin Sykes

Police say three Chinese tourists who were robbed in the Far North at knifepoint by men they had stopped to help yesterday are "stunned and shocked" at the incident.

The attack happened on a stretch of gravel road which runs through Te Paki Reserves and farm land leading to Te Paki Stream and 90 Mile Beach, from State Highway 1F.

Detective Sergeant Trevor Beatson from Kaitaia police said the tourists had been hailed by two Maori men in a maroon coloured station wagon, who claimed they were lost.

When they stopped to help, the touring group was set upon by the two men who assaulted them, produced knives and then demanded money and property. Mr Beatson said.

"It was the worst possible thing that could have happened to them when they went out of their way to help these two men.

"They had come to New Zealand fully believing it was a safe place to holiday and now their holiday and impressions of our country have been shattered."

Police were this morning combing the area and the victims' car for forensic evidence.

The two men were believed to be in their 20s, and were described as tall with strong physical builds.

They were driving a maroon or dark red coloured station wagon similar to a Subaru legacy, which had fishing rods sticking out of a side window.

Police were urging any witnesses to contact Kaitaia Police.

- NZPA